Attachment mechanism for blast resistant modular buildings

ABSTRACT

A building module for use in constructing a blast-resistant modular building. The building module includes a pair of parallel skid members and a rectangular body mounted on the skid members. The body includes sides, a roof and a floor defining an interior of the building module. A first side of the body includes an opening. A flange co-extensive with opposite sides and a top of the first side includes a plurality of holes for receiving respective bolt-type fasteners. Alignment pins project outwardly from the body proximal a bottom of the first side, for engaging corresponding alignment holes of the other building module. Each alignment pin includes a cylindrical portion at a base end of the pin, and a tapered portion. The cylindrical portion has a diameter corresponding to that of a respective alignment hole such that, when the alignment pin is fully seated in its respective alignment hole, the opening in the first side is secured in proper alignment with a corresponding opening of the other module, and shear loads between the two modules are transferred through the alignment pins. The tapered portion engages the respective alignment hole to properly guide the two module into proper alignment as the two modules are drawn together.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is the first application filed in respect of the present invention.

MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to modular buildings, and inparticular to an attachment mechanism for blast resistant modularbuildings.

BACKGROUND

Modular buildings are well known in the art. A typical modular buildingis generally composed of two or more building units, or modules,interconnected by an attachment mechanism. Generally, each modulecomprises one or more walls, a floor structure, and a roof or ceilingstructure, so as to at least partially define an enclosed space. Eachmodule is normally sized to permit transport, for example using aconventional flat-bed trailer.

The attachment mechanism is used to secure individual modules togetherto create an assembled building structure having an interior space whichis protected from environmental elements such as weather. Typically, theattachment mechanism is configured to facilitate disassembly of thebuilding structure.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,694,621 and 6,871,453 (both to Locke) disclose systemsfor aligning and securing components of a modular building, which arerepresentative of the art. In these systems, each building component isprovided with a metal plate (see FIG. 1, items 16 and 18) having aconical recess (FIGS. 1, at 17 and 19). A tapered connector (see FIG. 1,item 10) is designed to mate with these conical recesses to align thetwo building components. Tension rods (FIGS. 1 at 10 and 26) are thenused to hold the building components together. This arrangementfacilitates obtaining accurate alignment between two components as theyare brought together during assembly of a modular building.

In the oil and gas industry, it is frequently desirable to use modularbuildings at various work-sites. The use of modular buildings in thiscontext is useful because it facilitates re-location and re-use ofbuildings and building components at different sites as the need arises.

An important feature of the oil and gas industry is that, at many sites,there is a significant risk that an accidental leak of natural gas, H₂Sor petroleum can cause an explosion and fire. The American PetroleumInstitute (API) has published Recommended Practice (RP) 752/753 whichspecifies different classes of blast-resistant structures, based onrespective blast overpressures of 3 pounds per square inch (psi) andhigher. Blast overpressures of these levels will typically destroyconventional modular buildings such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos.4,694,621 and 6,871,453. When such a building is being used to housepersonnel, fire-fighting equipment and first-aid supplies, an effectiveinitial response to the accident is severely hampered.

Accordingly, there is a need for a readily transportable modularbuilding system that, when assembled, can satisfy the requirements ofAPI RP 752/753.

SUMMARY

In an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a buildingmodule for use in constructing a blast-resistant modular building. Thebuilding module includes a pair of parallel skid members and arectangular body mounted on the skid members. The body includes sides, aroof and a floor defining an interior of the building module. A firstside of the body includes an opening. A flange co-extensive withopposite sides and a top of the first side includes a plurality of holesfor receiving respective bolt-type fasteners. Alignment pins projectoutwardly from the body proximal a bottom of the first side, forengaging corresponding alignment holes of the other building module.Each alignment pin includes a cylindrical portion at a base end of thepin, and a tapered portion. The cylindrical portion has a diametercorresponding to that of a respective alignment hole such that, when thealignment pin is fully seated in its respective alignment hole, theopening in the first side is secured in proper alignment with acorresponding opening of the other module, and shear loads between thetwo modules are transferred through the alignment pins. The taperedportion engages the respective alignment hole to properly guide the twomodule into proper alignment as the two modules are drawn together.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Representative embodiments of the invention will now be described by wayof example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing building modules in accordance witha first representative embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates features of an attachment mechanism usable in theembodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an alignment pin in the attachment mechanism of FIG.2;

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative arrangement of the alignment pins ofFIGS. 2 and 3;

FIGS. 5 a-5 b illustrate embodiments in which an alignment pin and analignment hole are provided together in a common pillow-block; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a building module in accordancewith a second representative embodiment of the present invention;

It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like featuresare identified by like reference numerals.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention provides mechanisms for blast resistant modularbuildings.

Referring to FIG. 1, a blast-resistant modular building 2 is shown,which is assembled together using a pair of building modules 4. Eachbuilding module comprises a pair of parallel skid members 6, and arectangular body 8 mounted on the skid members.

In general, the skid members 6 are used to provide a substantially rigidsupport for the body 8 of the building module 4, which is not subject totoppling in an event that the body 8 experiences a sideways motion whenstruck by a blast shockwave. Conventional modular building units aresupported by adjustable legs or jack-stands, which enable the module tobe installed on un-even ground and leveled. However, a blast shockwavecan easily subject the module to a sideways thrust which can cause thelegs or jack-stands to topple over and collapse. The use of skid members6 as shown in FIG. 1 avoids this problem. Acceptable levelling of thebuilding module 4 on a job-site can be achieved by levelling the ground(eg using a bulldozer) or providing a gravel bed on which the buildingmodule 4 can be placed. A further advantage of the skid members 6 isthat they distribute the weight of the building module 4 over a largesurface area, which helps prevent the skid members 6 from sinking intothe ground. If desired, the skid members 6 may be linked together usingcross-members 10 to construct a substantially rigid frame. The skidmembers 6 may be constructed of structural steel I-beams, for example.

The body 8 generally comprises sides 12, a roof 14 and a floor 16defining an interior of the building module 4. Preferably, the body 8 issized to facilitate transport using, for example, a conventionalflat-bed trailer. In some embodiments, the dimensions of the body areclosely similar to those of a conventional shipping container.Preferably, at least the sides 12, and roof 16 of the body arereinforced, for example using welded steel structural members, toprovide high structural strength without adding excessive weight. Anarmoured cladding, for example of steel sheet, on the exterior of thebody provides both protection from weather and projectile debris ejectedfrom an explosion. One or more windows 18 and doors 20 may be providedin the body 8, as desired. Preferably, windows 18 are suitably armouredusing techniques known in the art to provide blast resistance. Doors 20may be similarly armoured, and in addition are preferably positionedsuch that, when the building module 4 is positioned at a job-site, thedoor 20 is located on the opposite side of the modular building from anypotential explosion hazards. Arranging the module 4 in this mannerenables the assembled modular building 2 to provide blast protection forthe door 10.

As may be seen in FIG. 1, a side 12 of the body 4 includes an opening,which provides an interior passage enabling personnel to move around theinterior space of a modular building 2 constructed of two or moremodules 4 joined together. In some embodiments, the opening encompassesthe entire side 12 of the module body, as shown in the embodiment ofFIG. 1. However, this is not essential. Smaller openings may beprovided, as desired.

In order to attach one building module 4 to another building module 4,an attachment system is provided, which includes, a flange 22 for matingwith a respective flange of the other module, and alignment pins 24 forengaging corresponding alignment holes of the other building module. Inthe embodiment of FIG. 1, the flange 22 is co-extensive with oppositesides and the top of the open side of the module body 4. A plurality ofholes 26 spaced along the flange 22 enables the two building modules 4to be secured together using bolt-type fasteners.

As may be seen in FIG. 2, the holes 26 are preferably elongated withtheir major axis oriented longitudinally with respect the module body 8.This arrangement is advantageous in that the enlarged holes simplifyinsertion of bolts during assembly of the modular building 2. Followingsassembly, the elongated holes 26 are also beneficial in that they permitrelative longitudinal motion between the joined modules 4, which helpsreduce shear loading of the bolts if a blast shockwave hits the modularbuilding 2 at an angle.

The alignment pins 24 project outwardly from the module body 8 proximalthe bottom of the open side, so as to engage corresponding alignmentholes of the other building module 4. As may be seen in FIG. 3, eachalignment pin 24 includes a cylindrical portion 26 at a base end of thepin 24, and a tapered portion 28. The cylindrical portion 26 has adiameter corresponding to that of a respective alignment hole, such thatwhen the alignment pin 24 is fully seated in its respective alignmenthole, the opening in the side of the module body 8 is secured in properalignment with a corresponding opening of the other module 4. In thiscondition, shear loads between the two modules 4 are also transferredthrough the alignment pins 24. The tapered portion 28 is designed toengage its respective alignment hole to properly guide the two modules 4into proper alignment as the two modules are drawn together.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, a respective alignment pin islocated at each end of the open side of the module body, for exampleaffixed to a portion of the associated skid member that projects beyondthe end of the module body. The open side of the other module haspillow-blocks 30 (FIG. 1) which provide a respective alignment hole forreceiving the alignment pins 24. Other suitable arrangements ofalignment pins, and alignment holes, can be provided as desired.

For example, FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment in which a plurality ofalignment pins 24 are arranged along the bottom of the open side of themodule body 8. This arrangement offers the same advantages as theembodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, but provides greater shear strength byvirtue of having a greater number of pins 24.

In some embodiments, it is desirable to provide a symmetricalarrangement of alignment pins and holes, so that every building modulecan be fitted with the same configuration of alignment pins and holes,and can be joined to each other interchangeably as desired. FIGS. 5 aand 5 b illustrate one method of accomplishing this, in which analignment pin 24 and a pillow block 30 containing an alignment hole 32are incorporated into a single unit 34. In the embodiment of FIG. 5 b, apair of these units 34 are mounted at opposite ends of the open side ofthe module body 8, in a manner similar to that of FIG. 1. It will beseen that when this arrangement is reversed (as will occur when twomodules 4 are rotated so that their respective open sides face oneanother) the alignment pins 24 of one module 4 will automatically lineup with the alignment holes 32 of the other module 4, so that the twomodules 4 can be drawn together and properly attached. Otherarrangements of alignment pins 24 and holes 34 can be used, if desired,and are considered to fall within the scope of the appended claims.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the module body 8 is providing with asingle open side, and so is capable of attaching to one other buildingmodule 4. Building modules 4 having two or more open sides may beconstructed, as desired. For example, FIG. 6 illustrates a buildingmodule 4 d in which both longitudinal sides of the module body 8 haveopenings, along with flanges 22, alignment pins 24 and alignment holes32 (all as described above) to facilitate attachment to respectivebuilding modules 4. As may be appreciated, the building module 4 d ofFIG. 6 enables the assembly of a blast resistant modular building 2 ofany desired size, by joining together a suitable number of buildingmodules 4, 4 d.

Although the invention has been described with reference to certainspecific embodiments, various modifications thereof will be apparent tothose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention as outlined in the claims appended hereto.

1. A building module for use in constructing a blast-resistant modularbuilding, the building module comprising: a pair of parallel skidmembers; a rectangular body mounted on the skid members, the bodycomprising sides, a roof and a floor defining an interior of thebuilding module, a first side of the body including an opening; a flangefor mating with a respective flange of an other module, the flange beingco-extensive with opposite sides and a top of the first side, andincluding a plurality of holes for receiving respective bolt-typefasteners; alignment pins projecting outwardly from the body proximal abottom of the first side, for engaging corresponding alignment holes ofthe other building module, each alignment pin including: a cylindricalportion at a base end of the pin, the cylindrical portion having adiameter corresponding to that of a respective alignment hole such that,when the alignment pin is fully seated in its respective alignment hole,the opening in the first side is secured in proper alignment with acorresponding opening of the other module, and shear loads between thetwo modules are transferred through the alignment pins; and a taperedportion at a distal end of the pin, the tapered portion engaging therespective alignment hole to properly guide the two module into properalignment as the two modules are drawn together.
 2. The building moduleas claimed in claim 1, wherein the opening encompasses a portion of thefirst side of the body.
 3. The building module as claimed in claim 1,wherein the opening encompasses substantially an entire area of thefirst side of the body.
 4. The building module as claimed in claim 1,wherein the holes in the flange are elongated.
 5. The building module asclaimed in claim 4, wherein a major axis of each elongated hole isoriented longitudinally with respect to the first side, so as to permitrelative movement between the two modules in the longitudinal direction.6. The building module as claimed in claim 1, wherein a respectivealignment pin is disposed at opposite ends of the first side.
 7. Thebuilding module as claimed in claim 6, wherein each alignment pin isaffixed to a respective one of the skid members.
 8. The building moduleas claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of alignment pin are disposedin spaced relation along the bottom of the first side.
 9. The buildingmodule as claimed in claim 8, wherein each alignment pin is affixed to arespective one of the skid members.
 10. The building module as claimedin claim 1, further comprising alignment holes for receivingcorresponding alignment pins of the other module.
 11. The buildingmodule as claimed in claim 10, wherein the alignment pins and alignmentholes a symmetrically arranged such that each of the building modulescan have a common arrangement of alignment pins and alignment holes.